RALEIGH/DURHAM,NC – Sensitive federal records that reveal two
preventable monkey deaths and two preventable rabbit deaths, as well as
other injuries to primates at Duke University are being made public by a
national research watchdog organization today.

The Duke University lab should be heavily fined - $30,000, said SAEN
(Stop Animal Exploitation NOW), a national research watchdog
organization, which uncovered the death & negligence. SAEN has
filed a federal complaint with the USDA, which oversees research
laboratories.

SAEN said the records reveal that 2 monkeys had to be killed after
botched colonoscopies resulted in colonic tears. Additionally, 2
rabbits bled to death when their carotid arteries were accidentally
severed during a procedure. Two other primates sustained fight
injuries when Duke staff placed their cages too close together.

“Duke University has demonstrated a clear pattern of incompetence that
has killed two monkeys, two rabbits, and injured other monkeys," said
Michael A. Budkie, A.H.T., Executive Director, SAEN. "This
bungling lab deserves the maximum penalty allowable under the law."

The NIH reports and SAEN's Official Complaint are available upon request
from SAEN.